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Feb 11, 2009 at 12:01 AMFeb 12, 2009 at 6:40 PM

Alive's guide to fresh ideas for finding passion on Valentine's Day

If you truly want to make Feb. 14 special, try a whole day of affectionate activities. A good place to start is the Franklin Park Conservatory, for an afternoon with lavish orchid forest displays accented by the Bending Nature exhibition and Chihuly glass sculptures. Or stop by in the evening for a wine tasting and chocolate sampling from 5-10 p.m. - a good place to begin or end your night. Click to fpconservatory.org.

No dinner reservations for Saturday yet? Your best bet is probably the Little Caesar's inside K-mart, but there are options for a romantic pre-Valentine's dinner.

Thursday through Saturday, one of the city's finest kitchens has a special five-course menu made with aphrodisiacal ingredients. Rosendale's in the Short North will be serving both the dishes and their history as agents of love, for something to talk about when you and your date aren't ogling each other.

"We know a lot of restaurants are trying to find a hook ... we wanted to do something different and spark interest this Valentine's Day," said Chef Richard Rosendale. Dinner is $90 per person with an additional $60 for wine pairings. Click to rosendales.com.

On Friday and Saturday, Latitude 41 in the Renaissance Hotel is offering a special menu of three courses plus appetizers. Multiple entrees are available, along with wine pairings and special cocktails. If you feel you have to make up for your special date not being on the actual special date, end Friday night with a reservation at one of the city's finer Downtown hotels. Click to latitude41restaurant.com.

If, for your sweetie, there's no better way to say "I love you" than a plate full of barbecue, spend Saturday evening with JP's Barbecue at Bolton Field. The location will offer a "casually chic" dinner party, according to owner and manager Carol Maker, followed by flights around the Downtown skyline for two.

The party includes music, games and prizes, plus a champagne-vodka fountain, a buffet with apps, JP's famous barbecue and, of course, desserts - even a wedding cake.

Maker said there will be a total of 100 flights, so there's a good chance you can still make a reservation. Tickets are $135 a couple. Click to jpsbbq.com.